Healthy People 2020: Nutrition, Physical Activity & Obesity

Introduction

The Healthy People 2020 initiative examines a number of different health issues facing the American population and sets goals for improving the nation's overall health status. One of its key topics is nutrition, physical activity, and obesity.

The consumption of a healthy diet and a sufficient level of physical activity are essential for maintaining a healthy weight. A major issue in the United States is an increasingly prevalent level of obesity. Problems contributing to this include the consumption of excessive calories, high intakes of saturated and trans fats, and high intakes of other unhealthy substances such as sugar, cholesterol, salt, and alcohol (Healthy People, 2012). This is further aggravated by insufficient physical activity to burn off the calories consumed, which leads the body to store energy and results in weight gain.

Current Obesity Statistics in the U.S.

Current statistics indicate a significant problem. According to the Healthy People 2020 document, it is estimated that fewer than one-third of adults eat the recommended levels of fruits and vegetables, with figures for adolescents being even lower. Furthermore, 81.6% of adults and 81.8% of adolescents do not undertake the recommended levels of physical activity (Healthy People, 2012). This has contributed to a situation in which 34% of adults and 16.2% of adolescents are obese (Healthy People, 2012).

However, obesity is not evenly distributed across the entire U.S. population; some states have a greater problem than others. According to the CDC, the state with the highest prevalence of obesity was Mississippi, with an overall rate of 34%, while even the state with the lowest prevalence — Colorado — had a rate of 21% (CDC, 2012).

The impact of obesity on health is significant, increasing risks for a number of conditions including, but not limited to, high blood pressure, cardiac disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, and some cancers. In 2001, it was estimated that approximately 300,000 deaths occurred in the U.S. each year as a direct result of obesity (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2001).

The financial cost is also substantial. It is estimated that the annual cost of obesity to the United States is $147 billion per year, with healthcare costs for an obese person being 43% higher than for a person of healthy weight (Paddock, 2009). These figures underscore the urgency of public health interventions targeting obesity prevention and management.

Health and Economic Consequences of Obesity

There are a number of influences on nutrition, exercise habits, and the occurrence of obesity. The environment is a key factor; the increased development and availability of fatty and high-sugar foods that are easy to purchase raises overall caloric intake. For this reason, many schools have stopped selling high-sugar items in their vending machines.

Behavior is also an important influence. The increased use of computers and the prevalence of sedentary lifestyles have reduced the amount of physical activity undertaken, decreasing the calories burned and increasing the potential for weight gain. Social interaction can also play a role; individuals tend to emulate the behavioral norms of their social group. Those who belong to groups that regularly visit gyms are less likely to gain weight compared to those whose social activities primarily involve consuming alcohol. Additionally, research has identified a genetic component, with some individuals having a greater predisposition to weight gain than others (Faith et al., 2006). A comprehensive overview of these causes of obesity highlights the complexity of addressing this public health challenge.

The Healthy People 2020 initiative includes a number of objectives designed to promote health and reduce obesity. One objective is to "increase the number of states with nutrition standards for foods and beverages provided to preschool-aged children in child care," with the aim of increasing this number from 24 states in 2006 to 34 states by 2020, at a rate of approximately one state per year (Healthy People, 2012).

Conclusion

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2001). Overweight and obesity: A major public health issue. Prevention Report. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.